Merrell Vapor Glove 4

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 5.6 oz · 7/7mm stack

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock.

How it ranks

The Merrell Vapor Glove 4 rates in the 91st percentile overall among daily trainers. It rates highest on comfort.

Based on 5 runner reviews.

Merrell Vapor Glove 4

/ 5

Excellent

Overall rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Excellent (94/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 91% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

94/100
Overall

Overall rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Excellent (94/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 91% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

94
Comfort

Comfort rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Exceptional (99/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 98% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

99
Appearance

Appearance rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Excellent (91/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 86% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

91
Value

Value rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (86/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 76% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

86
Durability

Durability rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (85/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 73% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

85
Cushioning

Cushioning rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Bottom-tier (49/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than <1% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

49

What runners say

“Barefoot feeling in the middle of a winter run.”
4/5 Full review
“Some of the lightest and most flexible running shoes out there.”
5/5 Full review
“Really enjoying the feel of being in touch with the running surface.”
5/5 Full review
“Running became a joy.”
5/5 Full review
“Better than VG3 in comfort, performance, upper durability.”
5/5 Full review
“Durability is a little less than earlier models.”
RunHillsinHighWaters 5/5 Full review
“The most comfortable shoes I've ever had.”
5/5 Full review

Prefer this shoe over another

67% 4/6

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes overall.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes on comfort.
  • Rated among the top 10% of shoes on durability.

Cons

  • Some of reviewers think this shoe runs too big.
  • Rated among the bottom 10% of shoes on cushioning.

Reader Ratings

5 reader ratings
5/5
4
4/5
1
3/5
0
2/5
0
1/5
0

Runner reviews

Write a review

Showing 1–5 of 5 written reviews

great!

Anonymous runner · Dec 29, 2020

5/5

Overall

The most comforatable shoes I've ever had! Not the fastest shoes, but I really feel that I run and how I run. Better than VG3 in comfort, performance, upper durability (except Luna, it's the same). Used for running in rotation with more cushioned shoes. Outsole, upper durable (100 km by now).
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5

Virtually barefoot

Anonymous runner · Jul 26, 2019

4/5

Overall

Barefoot feeling in the middle of a winter run is seldom heard of, but with Merrell Vapor Gloves, every day is barefoot day. Being 50 years old and NEVER having an injury when wearing them is worth more than winning the Powerball lottery.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
2/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
2/5
Value
4/5

great entry shoe into minimalist running

Anonymous runner · Jul 25, 2019

5/5

Overall

really enjoying the feel of being in touch with the running surface.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
1/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

I love my minimalist Merrells

Anonymous runner · Jul 20, 2019

5/5

Overall

Years ago, I ran in the more traditional cushioned running shoes, slogging through every run. After changing up my gait from heel strike to forefoot strike, I needed a more flexible, lightweight, minimalist shoe. I tried several on my way to the Merrell gloves, but after lacing up with my first pair of these, I've never looked back. Running became a joy. These shoes are some of the lightest and most flexible running shoes out there before you start separating your toes (I just can't hack that odd sensation). I've been running in Merrell gloves for several years now (30+ miles/week) and I just can't imagine trying any other running shoe.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
1/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Big Fan

RunHillsinHighWaters · Jul 2, 2019

5/5

Overall

Disclaimer: I've run in the Vapor Gloves for years; so, my foot is very well-adjusted to the minimalist feel. This is a great shoe, and one of the few remaining of its kind. The durability seems to be a little less than that of the earlier models, but the newer vapor glove still lasts me a season or two. Some of the newer colors are very appealing. I often get compliments on these shoes from strangers. I have post-tib tendonosis, and nothing helps me recover from a bought of bad swelling like moving to these shoes for a while.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
1/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Where to buy

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Alternatives

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98/100 rating

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Brooks Revel Max

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Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Merrell Vapor Glove 4
Merrell Vapor Glove 3
ASICS SUPERBLAST 2
Vapor Glove 4
Vapor Glove 3
SUPERBLAST 2
Current shoe
Choose a model
Lightest
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Trail
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Stability
Neutral
Weight
5.6 oz M Lightest
5.9 oz M
—
Stack
7/7mm
—
—
Drop
—
—
7mm
Release
2019 Q1
2017 Q3
2024 Q2 Newest
MSRP
$80
$80
$200
Best price
—
—
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Excellent (91%)
Very good (89%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Exceptional (98%)
Exceptional (97%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Bottom tier (<1%)
Bottom tier (2%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Good (73%)
Bottom tier (8%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Very good (86%)
Good (79%)
Exceptional (97%) Best appearance
Value
Good (76%)
Below average (22%)
Very good (87%) Best value
Specific shoe

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Where the Merrell Vapor Glove 4 sits

The Vapor Glove line

Compare every Vapor Glove version

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